The First Memo: A Pink Kitty Original

To begin this note, I would like to thank President Summers for his forward thinking actions to promote diversity at this esteemed and well-respected institution.The push for increased diversity came from a contentious place (the meeting where he said the reason more women were not in the sciences because women had made other choices - like have families - that would take them off the tenure track), but I know that his actions will create a ripple effect across academia.

In my new role as Dean for Diversity, I will focus my efforts for the 2005-06 academic year on two key areas: diversity in hiring of faculty and diversity of and within the student body.This first in a series of memos will discuss hiring policies to create a more diverse faculty.

My staff will be working with the Office of Human Resources and academic departments to ensure that all top candidates are minorities – regardless of educational background or experience.Female minorities are particularly encouraged to apply as they will likely be hired. Male minorities will do well.European-American women come next, and last and least are European-American men.They are a part of the problem – the patriarchy.It must be stopped.

My office will be the shining example on which the rest of Harvard and ultimately academia should follow.I have already placed women into the management positions.Men have been hired in the support staff area, completely reversing the stereotype of the female secretary/office assistant.

It is a shame that only 11% of Harvard’s faculty are women yet represent over half of the student body.Thank you to President Summers for having the vision to correct this travesty! I look forward to the new challenges that we will face in making Harvard a truly multi-cultural university.